Rental e-scooters : yea or nay?

[Oexmelin]

I used them quite a bit when I was living in the US.

They were useful because few cities in the US have a municipal rental bike scheme - because few cities in the US are ever willing to invest in cycling infrastructure, or, when they do, they under-invest, so you have a few stands scattered around limited parts of the city, often as a tourist scheme rather than a commuting scheme.

So, I used them the same way I would have used such a service - whenever I changed plans and felt like I needed to get faster to my destination, or to get to the train/metro station, or whenever I felt it was actually faster than using the (under-funded) public transportation, or whenever I didn't want to get worried about having my bicycle stolen, or when I needed to get somewhere and not get super sweaty under Midwestern high humidity, etc.

Obviously, I needed to use some discernment about where to ride them, and I usually took the more residential streets to get to my destination rather than the more direct, and usually more dangerous, routes. But considering how clueless many American drivers are re: cyclists on the road (many apparently thinking cyclists are required to be on the sidewalk),I did the same while cycling.

[jimmy olsen]

I just use my bike

[mongers]

I used them quite a bit when I was living in the US.

They were useful because few cities in the US have a municipal rental bike scheme - because few cities in the US are ever willing to invest in cycling infrastructure, or, when they do, they under-invest, so you have a few stands scattered around limited parts of the city, often as a tourist scheme rather than a commuting scheme.

So, I used them the same way I would have used such a service - whenever I changed plans and felt like I needed to get faster to my destination, or to get to the train/metro station, or whenever I felt it was actually faster than using the (under-funded) public transportation, or whenever I didn't want to get worried about having my bicycle stolen, or when I needed to get somewhere and not get super sweaty under Midwestern high humidity, etc.

Obviously, I needed to use some discernment about where to ride them, and I usually took the more residential streets to get to my destination rather than the more direct, and usually more dangerous, routes. But considering how clueless many American drivers are re: cyclists on the road (many apparently thinking cyclists are required to be on the sidewalk),I did the same while cycling.

Oexy, thanks for the real world feedback; I might have to reconsider the utility they might offer me.

Though in all likelyhood I'd be put off by the small wheels, more than happy to go from 700mm/26inch down to 20in wheels, but given the state of UK roads, I don't think I'd want ro rely on e-scooter sized wheels/tyres.

[Jacob]

Hi Oex!

[CountDeMoney]

Fuckers are speed demon death traps in the Urban Jungle.

I downloaded the apps (easy to use at least for Bird, Spin and Link) and took a few for a spin; I figured in the event I missed my shuttle to the parking garage, or needed to zip across campus for a meeting, I could hop on one of these.

I mean, if swarms of 22 year old 145lb Chinese postgrads can zip around on them all day like it's the Tiananmen 500, I suppose I could handle it, right? 

Each hand brake controls each wheel independently, but the throttle is on your right thumb.  If you're not careful and totally uncoordinated, you might grab the brake and hit the accelerator at the same time.  Then you'll get to do what I did:  lose control, smack a curb, perform a Triple Lindy over the handlebar and wrap yourself around a light pole. Apparently I no longer hop like I used to.

You should be fine, Mongers.  You're used to bicycle controls, and they're slow enough for you to take a dump on the side of the road without much effort.

[Syt]

Each hand brake controls each wheel independently, but the throttle is on your right thumb.  If you're not careful and totally uncoordinated, you might grab the brake and hit the accelerator at the same time.  Then you'll get to do what I did:  lose control, smack a curb, perform a Triple Lindy over the handlebar and wrap yourself around a light pole. Apparently I no longer hop like I used to.

[CountDeMoney]

Those are incredibly gracious scores considering the dismount.

[grumbler]

So these things should be kept as evolution aids?

[CountDeMoney]

So these things should be kept as evolution aids?

Fuck yeah. I'll take one for the team if the rest of the herd manages to get culled in the process.

[HVC]

Bring back lawn darts.

[Jacob]

Definitely think there's a culling effect in place. I have two buddies who took up e-scootering who both had pretty serious spills. One gave it up and got an e-bike instead. The other continued and had a second spill - he's just coming back part time at work after having been on disability for 6+ months from the concussion.

[CountDeMoney]

Definitely think there's a culling effect in place. I have two buddies who took up e-scootering who both had pretty serious spills. One gave it up and got an e-bike instead. The other continued and had a second spill - he's just coming back part time at work after having been on disability for 6+ months from the concussion.

Unless you've got one and have had extensive practice on them, I really think they're for young, lithe people. Little shits.

[mongers]

Fuckers are speed demon death traps in the Urban Jungle.

I downloaded the apps (easy to use at least for Bird, Spin and Link) and took a few for a spin; I figured in the event I missed my shuttle to the parking garage, or needed to zip across campus for a meeting, I could hop on one of these.

I mean, if swarms of 22 year old 145lb Chinese postgrads can zip around on them all day like it's the Tiananmen 500, I suppose I could handle it, right? 

Each hand brake controls each wheel independently, but the throttle is on your right thumb.  If you're not careful and totally uncoordinated, you might grab the brake and hit the accelerator at the same time.  Then you'll get to do what I did:  lose control, smack a curb, perform a Triple Lindy over the handlebar and wrap yourself around a light pole. Apparently I no longer hop like I used to.

You should be fine, Mongers.  You're used to bicycle controls, and they're slow enough for you to take a dump on the side of the road without much effort.

Good to hear from you CdM.

No, I don't think it's an issue of skill/controls, but the braking; it's trivially easy make brakes that stop these scooters within a very short distance, but given the riding/standing position, how on earth does the person avoid becoming a airborne missile before impacting the thing you're trying to avoid and/or the ground?